Funding for the digitization of this title was provided by R.J. Taylor, Jr. Foundation.
About State press. (Macon, Ga.) 1857-18?? | View Entire Issue (Dec. 10, 1857)
Stele MACON, GA. Thursday, December 10.1857. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. Our thanks are due to Thomas P. Sri bus. Esq., Senator from this county, for valuable Legislative documents. ACADEMY FOR THE BLIND. A report has been submitted to the Senate Sy jfr". Stubbs, recommending an appropria tethirty five thousand dollars for the benefit Os the above Institution. A similar appropria tion has passed tbe lloiise thank; to the es torts of our worthy Representative, Abnbi: M. Lockett. Esq., Chairman <»f the Committee to which the subject was referred. Great praise is due to Messrs. Lockett and Sti bbs for the interest which they have taken in this philan thropic measure. MACON & BRUNSWICK RAILROAD. The Bill granting State aid to this road is tnade the special order in the Senate for to-day. Notwithstanding the defeat of the Omnibus Bill, we have still great hope that the Legisla tore will recognize the superior claims of the Macon and Brunswick Road, and grant it the aid tor which it petitions and to which it is so justly entitled. Our advertising columns contain a great deal of matter interesting to the general ruder. We commend a careful reading of the advertise ment* on the first, third ami fourth pages of our paper. LITERARY. Reform Medical Practice. —We arc indebt ed to the authors—the "Faculty of the Reform Medical College of Georgia’’ for the volume bearing the above title. It is in octavo form, containing 1130 pages —ami will, no doubt, furnish entertaining reading to all who are dis posed to examine the claims of the many con- . tending systems of Medical Pr.u tice, while it will certainly become the text-book and »■«</<■ mecuut of all students and practitioners of thi- ■ particular school. The College from which thi work emanated, is located in this city and in point, of endowment, npparat it buildings. Ac., will compare favorably with any Medical insti tution in the State. The same remark applies to its patronage —the classes in attendance being large, and, we learn, constantly increasing. The publication of this work is a sufficient proof of the zeal and fidelity ofthe Faculty -which con Bists of six Professors, among whom are dis tributed the several usually taught in the schools. We remember to have read of a man, who, when interrogated as to his opinions about tbe various modes of death, candidly confessed that he war not partial tv either. We can say for ourselves, in a similar spirit, that we have no peculiar penchant for any of the various sy, terns of Medicines. We have, therefore, noth ing to say, pro or eon, as to the practice recom mended in this book. It is no doubt successful in many instances ami unsuccessful in more— which is all that can be said of any of the *ehools, which have existed from the times <>f| Galen down to the present. This work, how ever. deserves a careful ami respectful reading' I from all who wish to examine the subject of medicine for thcm.se! vcs. We hope that it may redound to the honor ami profit of tbe authors. It is printed by our neighbor, Mr. Ci isby. of; the “Telegraph”—probably, the largest scion- j tific work ever printed in the State—and in |a>int of typography, Ac., leaves nothing to lie wished for. We congratulate our neigldior on this specimen of his handiwork hoping that this is one of many volumes w Inch lie may ush er into the world. Oration. M'e have before us, the Address, delivered by our frien I and fellow-townsinnu, Col. O. A. Locheane, nt the annual celehra- i bration, 1857. of the Irish Union Society of Savannah. This oration abounds in poetic im agery, classic allusion, ami well sustained flights of the imagination, which are always easy ami , unconstrained. The true spirit <f patriotism j breathes through every line, ami we are not ' surprised that this glowing sketch of Irish his tory—this eloquent vindication of a jieople w hose high spirit h is remained proof against the oppression of centuries -these bursts of in dignation against the tyrant ami the <h -poiler —and these fond eulogiums upon the great names which Ireland, poor as she is, has given to enrieh the world—we say, that »<• arc not surprised that this address, delivered, as it w as. with the characteristic ardor of t or.. Loen rank, should have excited the warmest viithu siastn, and elicited extraordinary applause from those w ho had the good fortune to hear it. Rihski.i.'h Magazine. - The lieeember num ber of this excellent periodical is on our table —confirming us, more and more, in the high opinion which we have of its merits ami ini posing upon us the duty, which is also a pleas ure, of commending it in the most emphatic , terms of which we are capable, not merely to 1 the consideration, but to the ywfronngc. of our readers. Its contributors are thinkers and scholars —those who desire to hold converse with such, will find this magazine, a companion at once pleasant and instructive—those who jirefer to look at caricatures upon hoops, or to read puns musty w ith the age of centuries, had better stick to Harper’s and the like. MR HARDEMAN. We observe from the reports of the Legisla tive proceedings that Mr. Hardeman, ouo of the Representatives from this county, took a leading purt in the discussion on the Omnibus State Aid Bill. He is said to have made one of the best speeches of the session. The fol lowing extract is taken from the correspon dence of the Savannah Republican : Mr. Irwin moved to lay the whole matter on the table. Mr. Hardeman, of Bibb, hoped the friend of the measure w ould be allowed to perfect the bill, by attaching to it such amendments a would bring to its support many who now op pose it. Before he sat down however, he would notice the gentleman from Chatham who had said that Macon was .supported by the Central Railroad, when in truth it was in jured by the enormous freights. The Central Railroad had a sliding scale. When the river at Macon w as up,freights were down, and when the river went down, freights went up. (laugh ter.) He would like to show how it was that the Central Road fed ami clothed Macon. H< could have a barrel of suirar shipped from New York to Savannah for 50 cents, and from Sa vannah to Macon it w ould cost him * 1 50, ami thus they fed and clothed Macon. Again, a keg of nails cost him 12 1-2 cents from New- York to Savannah, and from there to Macon he paid 50 cents, nnd thns Savannah fed and clothod Macon (much laughter.) In the motion to lay the whole matter for the session the yeas were 81 and nays 57. WARD ON BARTLETT. Mu. Editor: —Some toad-eater sends to the Augusta Chronicle and Sentinel the following sample of Col. Ward’s insolence toward the opponents of Bank corruption. Read it, and then admire the Senator’s- ignorance or pre sumption '. "I rccret that I have not time now to report the coy nt and finished argument of the Sena tor from Chatham. 1 will try to give it some lime next week. Hi* premises were the broad base of a pyramid, ami his deductions its un broken and polished column. He was particu larly severe upon those Senators who were un willing to take the oath ofthe President ami Director.- us to the condition of our banks. A committee, said he. has been asked for to look into the vaults of the banks, and one Senator I Mr. Bartlett of Jasper) had gone so far as to say that he wanted other evidence than the oath of bank officers; and that Senator has read; upon this floor the debit for the credit side of the bank reports. \\ by, said lie, if this be a sample of the Senator's knowledge of banks, he w ould, if he w ere to get into one, never find his way out. "Who. .Senators, are your Bank Pre-identsl Men w hom Georgia has honored and delighted to honor -men to w hose care the Legislature has seen fit to confide these institutions —men whose fame is as fair, and honor as untarnished ns that of the Senators who seek to dishonor them. We i•• gretted the a-smilt. not so much on account of' the assailed, as on account of the assailants. 1 hope Senator Bartlett will humbly request i the Hon. Senator from Yamacraw, to pointout ions benighted crackers the Statute that re l quires "the Legislature to confide these institu tions to the care” of anybody ? We crackers have been under the delusion that the stock- 1 holders ami directors alone attended to that ' matter. But it is wicked heresy, if not "flat I jwpery" to doubt the immaculate purity of bank officers, is it. friend Ward? Why. John, von arc a reckless fellow to talk thus before lawyers! If you had a proper regard for your reputation, before y on commenced that talk, you would have requested the man in the chair to clear the chamber of lawyers, while you gave , the crackers lessons in bank veracity. Or did j you trust to the known generosity of the bar, I that they would forbear to expose you—that they w ould not rise and quote cases, in their , experience and practice in court, fully justify ing Senator Bartlett's distrust of bank officers ? j How w ould you have blushed if Bartlett, when I you -at dow'n thus complacently satisfied, had risen, with the 1 Sth Volume Georgia Reports ; in his hand, and had made no other reply but j to read to the Senate from that book, page 411, the case of Ann I'. McDougald, Ailin'x, vs. S. ■ .1. Ihlaniy, Adm'r.— wherein it appears, and wherein the Supreme Court say, that a presi dent and five directors returned to the Govern or. and all sieore to that return, that there was in the vault of a certain bank, *2sn.mai inspe- j eie. as required by law. when in fact there was not, nor ever had been then and there one dol- ! lar!! Ami yet, friend John, every one of j those six were as nice men as you have in your catalogue of bank presidents. Yamacraw lias never produced a man, since the Indians left there, who has stood higher in this State for | honor and veracity, than that unhappy Presi dent. He is now dead, but all who knew him will justify me in saying, that no president of I any bank ever lived in Georgia, of higher cha racter; and you know, and we all know, that he is but one of many instances, throughout the Union constantly occurring, of the power of the bankingsvstem to corrupt ami ruin the 1 o t souls of men. This would be enough, if there were not a host of other reasons, to damn the s\ >tetn fn the c\ vs of al! honest men. U e con stantly see both religion and honor failing to preserve men, when they get into a bank, and get into a straight for money, or a hurry to get rich. But every one who lias lived in the neigh borhood of fraudulent bunks knows tjjat the officer* are in the constant habit of using one lot of specie or bills of exchange to answer for several banks to twwr Z/y, in making their re- . turns. It is not a month since I heard a gen- ! tieman of very high standing, and who lias been Governor of a neighboring State, say that when he was one of the Directors in a bank in Hamburgh, S. C., some years ago, it was the practice of the banks in Augusta to borrow their specie to swear by—that the Bank of Hamburgh would give them specie certificates, which were returned to the Bank, after swear- ing to their returns. But this is not all the corruption. The mean tyranny of the English Stuarts did not exceed that of Banks, in favoring friends, and making foes f.-vl ther vengeance. For instance : —A friend of the w riter once applied to liorrow five hundred dollars of a bank that was loan ing on good paper. He had four endorsers, w-orth, in the aggregate, a half a million. The w riter was one of the endorsers. Tlie note was rejected, and the impudent, reason given by the President to the maker of tbe note, w as that Col. B.’s name was on the note —that no paper could pass w ith that name, because he had charged them, in a speech to the jury in court, with fraudulent conduct, in getting pos session of the as>cts of a broken bank, and thereby defrauding the bill-holders. They are not all as bold as that bank, but they mark ev ery one w ho does not worship the golden calf, and as occasion offers, they put on the thumb screw s ; and the danger is. that by this means, these pow erful and unscrupulous corporations will soon control the liberty and destiny of this country, for but few young men starting in life, with high ambition, have the courage to brave and rebuke such a power. Most men would prefer to conciliate their aid and favor, by shouting “Great is Diana ofthe Ephesians,” like the Senator from Chatham, and like the old silversmith, who said. “Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth'' But docs it heroine the advoc ates of the banks to use such ’>» ferity” m»t to say insolence, toward those who oppose them ? Who are their cli ents? Doubtless some of them are hon est and honorable men, But w hat have they been guilty of, that the people arc called upon to indulge them, and must be thus denounced, if they deny that the banks merit any indul gence ? Let the Statutes answer—“ Every in solvency of a chartered bank, or refusal or failure to redeem itebilb, on demand, either with specie or current bills passing at par valve, shall Ik* deemed fraudulent, and tin 1 president anti direetorn may be severally indicted for a misdemeanor, and ou conviction, shall be* pun ished by imprisonment, and lain'- in the peni tentiary tor any time nut less tha.i one year, nor longer than ten years.’’—Cobb, 797. Pray did Senator Bartlett go beyond that, in his in xiuuatloim? that the “polished column” felt himself thus called upon to unbend, and be ‘"particularly aerere” upon all anti-bank men? I he political death that has heretofore aw aited many g<x»d men in this State, because of their connection with, or advocacy of, rotten banks, in times gone by, ought to be a caution to the same class at the present time, not to be “par ticularly severe" upon such as presume to ex presß their doubts as to bank officers being saints. Finally, Mr. President, don’t get mad, and be “particularly severe" on me, for 1 have made no iiadn nations against bank officers, ami I am willing, at any time, to give you a certifi cate, that 1 believe them to be, in the aggre -1 gate, as respectable as ROBERT SCHUYLER. [For the State Press.) Messrs. Editors:—As a subscriber, hav ing received and read your first ••number" with interest, and more so recently since ( the contributions published through its col umns over the signature of Calhoun ami others, -bowing the injustice already done, and the ill effects likely to accrue, to our staple produc ' tion*. Cotton, Rice, and our other great ex porting products unencumbered and unfettered 1 by Bank combinations, ami their dependants with reasonable industry and economy, would ! not only make us independent but rich. It is not strange to the writer, a Georgian, upwards of three-score years, there should la* I gentlemen in the neighborhood of Macon, and | elsewhere, who object to your strictures on i Banking. From the U. S. Bank to the present ! pct Banks of Georgia, they must interpose in i directly, if not directly, in what they would I have us believe their facilities and aid in com merce. Tlie Lord save us from such facilities and aid, as discounts on fifteen or thirty days’ bills, drawn upon cotton ami rice, stored or . shipped with the right commission house, and ' forwarded by the preferred line and place to j meet the bill ami charges to the day, will in ; most instances use up the bonus and customer. Thus! imagine the Banks*appetites are craving • like dependant customers who now, like them selves, arc in a state of suspension. It cannot I escape common observation, how alarmingly obsequious ami insinuating the Banks have be- i come, to obtain from the present Legislature i all they want, probably more than is needed, I and positively more than they are entitled to • by merit or moderate honesty, as I shall attempt to prove, if the following interrogatories be truthfully answered: Ist. To the Presidents, Cashiers and Direc tors ofthe Banks of Savannah and Augusta : In what Bank and in what capacity are you acting' How lung have yon thus acted if State the management and operations of the Bank for a term of years? Have the dividends semi annually been declared and paid the stockhold ers above 7 percent per annum? Have not; some been as high as 16 per cent per annum r (Refer to the reports.) Was not the stock worth a premium ? Has it not been the practice to < purchase Southern notes ami the like in New York at a higher rate of interest than 7 per • cent per annum? Since the Ist of April last to September have the Banks purchased a much larger amount of notes at heavier discount, say if not as much as 25 or 35 per cent per annum on 60 and 90 days’ time to mature in ? Had i the funds of the Banks not have been thus used 1 since April last, but have l>een used at home in ' legitimate Banking business, as contemplated in the charter. might not the Bank* havegonoon in good faith as formerly ? Would not the profit* reported as paid stockholders for NoG have en abled the Bank* to pay in good faith as hereto fore? Can you account tor the “Middle Bank -of Georgia” ami the “ Bank of Columbus" pay- ing specie for their notes in good faith, only j chnrter*«d tu <» yvnrs skut**, und lutving u inir <-ir filiation out? Please make known the true situation of your Banks. AH cannot believe with Ex-Governor Johnson and your Senators and Reprvsi'iitativcs, who have such implied confidence, that if relief be granted all w ill be right. 2nd. To tlio> • introducing bills for the relief of Banks: How did you know the Banks wanted and merited relief? Have yon had much to do w ith Banks, or have you much use for making favorable impressions on the Direc tors. &c. ? The Senator from Richmond will please answer if he is acquainted w ith those poor widows and orphans represented as own ing stock in tlie Augusta Banks, if so, please name them and the number of their shares, who are w ithout other means: also the wid ows. orphans and gentlemen ow ning most Bank stock —say w here they live—if in fine houses, with Brussel/carpets on the floors; if any give and frequent “Parties” costing SSOO ? Are they in the habit yearly of going North or to fashion able places of resort? Arc the stockholders all Georgians, who assist the poor widow's and or phans alluded to in your reported speech (for the Banks) in the Senate? PLANTER. 8188 COUNTY DEMOCRATIC MEETING. The Democratic Party of Bibb County hav ing assembled at the Court House in obedience I to a call from the Executive Committee: On motion, J. A. Nisbet, Esq., was appoint 1 cd Chairman and Z. 'l'. Conner, requested to ’ act as Secretary. The Chairman explained the object of the ! meeting to be “to take into consideration the manner of nominating candidates for the Coun ty Offices,” and announced the meeting ready for business—w hereupon E. A. Wileox. Esq., moved to proceed to a nomination instanter. Mr. Minshvw moved an adjournment of the meeting until the 15th inst., w hich being re jected, the motion of Mr. Wilcox was carried. T. W. Brantly was unanimously nominated for Sheriff. The names of A. B. Ross and Win. M. Riley were then put in nomination for Clerk Sujicrior Court, and Mr. Riley withdrawing his name. Mr. A. B. Ross was nominated by ac clamation. Win. Bone having no opposition was also nominated by acclamation for Tax Collector. The meeting then proceeded to ballot for the remaining officers which resulted as follows, ! viz.: John P. M< Mam s. Clerk Inferior Court. Peter M. Ci rry. Tax Receiver. Wm. Wood, County Surveyor. L. Dow Wright, Coroner. On motion the meeting adjourned. J. A. NISBET, Chairman. Z. T. Conner, Secretary. December sth, 1857. A SAD CASUALITY. Mrs. Elizabeth Keller, w ife of Mr. Paul Kel ler who lives about ten miles from this city, shot herself on Sunday morning. It ap|K-ars that Mr. Keller leaded his gun on the pr ov ious night for the purpose of killing a t beef on Monday morning, when Mrs. Keller. I who has been laboring under partial insanity , for some time past, but w ithout exciting any ! suspicion, up to the fatal moment, taking :«l --! vantage of her husband’s absence, ordered the ; servant out, and taking the gun she (ii>cb:irged ; the contents us one barrel into her left breast, j causing almost instant death.— Sarannah (leor [ yiaa. IReported for the ‘‘State Press.”] GEORG I 1 LEGISLATURE. Milledgeville, Dec. 7th, 1857. IN SENATE.—bills passed. To pointout the mode and manner of obtain ing judgments un Declarations in ruses of at tachments in the Superior ami Interior Courts of this State and to give said judgments Iren as in cases at common law. i To point out the mode of payment of fees of the Solicitor General of the Eastern Judicial District of Georgia in Chatham county. To amend the act in relation to allowing Tax collectors an insolvent list by the Grand Jurors | of the several counties of this State, and to amend the various Jaws for the collection <»f j 'faxes. To incorporate the American Atlantic Screw Steamship Company. IN HOUSE. Mr. Westmoreland moved to reconsider so much of the Journal of Saturday as relates to the action ofthe House, in laying the bill ami amendment, relative to loaning “State aid" to certain Railroads on the table for the balance of the session, which motion was lost by yeas 58, nays 79. BILLS INTRODUCED. Mr. Kenan—To authorize the Justices vs the Inferior Court of Baldwin county, to issue bonds for the purpose of erecting a bridge, across the Oconee River, or for the payment of Stock in a corporate Company for that pur pose. Mr. Neal—For the relief of B. I’. Peace, who lost his leg at the Battle oi Hickory Point in Kansas. Mr. Cook—To aid the citizens of Georgia in the construction of Railroads in this State on ; certain conditions. Mr. Barrett —To appropriate money for the support of the Government for the political year 1858 and for other purposes. Mr. Lewis of Hancock—To protect the pro perty of the public, and public charitable Insti tutions. Mr. Batts.—To prohibit, so far as relates to the county of Lee, the traffic and sale of the Marksand Brands. Mr. Fannin—To prescribe the manner in which service may be perfected on Executors ami Administrators under the circumstances therein mentioned. Mr. Owens—To incorporate the Darien ami Walthourville Railroads. Mr. Luffman—To require the payment of “Tax fees" in certain cases. Mr. Holden—For the relief and future se curity' and protection of the value of Slave property in Taliaferro county, against the per nicious iufiuencc as exerted over that species of property by the free negroes in said county. Mr. Sherman—To extend the ( barter of the , Barnesville and Thomaston Railroad. M. Smith of Towns—To appropriate money for the support of Government for the political year 1858. BILLS PASSED. To prohibit persons in the county of Eman uel from poisoning the water courses in said county with Buck eye, and other poisonous substances for the purpose of catching fish, and thereby destroying cattle and other >tock. To incorporate the “Fulton, Mining, Smelt ing and Manufacturing Company.” To prevent non-residents from hunting, fish ing, Arc., in the State of Georgia. Additional to former acts relating to Glynn ! county Academy. To incorporate the Putnam Rilles and for (he relief of Sarah Grover of the county of Bryan. i:esoli tion offered. Mr. McWhorter —That from and after the 9th inst., no new matter shall be introduced into this Branch ofthe Gemral Assembly. Mr. Bigham—Relative to a change in the Testimony required of Meritorious applicants for B< unty Land. NEW COUNTY. Mr. Taylor presented a Bill to organize a new county from the counties of Dooly and Worth to be called “Shields,” and attach the same to a Judicial, Congressional and Military District. We learn that the county proposed to be formed, embraces an area of about thirty square miles, and a voting population ofthe rise of four hundred; the Territory to he inclu is heavily timbered and well w atcied, and in cludes some ofthe finest pine and Hammock land in South-Western Georgia; on the whole the Bill is every way meritorious and if it pass es, it will make one ofthe best counties in the Slate. FINANCE. Tbe report of the Committee on Finance show the receipts in the Treasury, from all sources, since the close of the fiscal year LSS6, up to the 20th October, 1857. inclusive of the amount in the Treasury at the first mentioned date, to be f‘J49,fil6 06. And the disbursement therefrom. during the same period, to he 511.789 90. Showing a balance in the Treasury Oct. 20th, 1857, of 437.826 16. This amount has been increased by payments in the Treasury, up to the 24th Nov., 1857, of 4(1,113 57. Making the sum total, $473,939 73. WESTERN AND ATLANTIC RAILROAD. J am sorry that iny engagements forbid a more extended notice of this report. I will however, refer to one item, and dose. 1 allu lude to the net earnings of the Western & At lantic Railroad, which is <ct down at SIOB,- i 500. 1 allude to this with mure mortification i than pleasure, for it does seem to me, and 1 i think it ought to appear to every reasonable mind, that this amount is a pitiful —a worse than pitiful, showing for this great work to make. 1 must confess, for one, that I am at a loss to conjecture how it is, that the “La grange,” the “Macon and Western” and the “Georgia” roads pay such enormous dividends, while this great feeder falls far short of a rea sonable percent. During the past canvass, and indeed for years, there has been considerable tmoke and in the ctnnp. and in the midst of so much smoke, there is always to be found a kindling of hot coals among the embers —charges of fraud and corruption in its mismanagenient have again and again been re peated. If these charges are correct, it is time the day of reckoning should be at hand, and in my judgment, if Governor Brown don’t see to the reckoning, he is not the Governor Brown that wc, or the people of Georgia take him to be. In a future number, I may again take oc casion to speak of the contemptible manner in which it is said the road is managed. TEMPLE. IN HOUSE. Mu i EDGEvn i e, Dec. Bth 1857. BILS PASSED. To enlarge the powers of juries at Common Law. Relative to decisions by the Supreme Court. Tliis bill provides that no decision of the Su preme Court tlndl be reversed, unless by con currence of all the Judges. To amend an act allowing executors, adminis trators and guardians to resign their trusts in certain cases. To allow persons to prove accounts without producing tin ir books. To remove trials in Justice Courts from one district to another. I To amend an act exempting certain proper :ty from levy and sale. This amendment ex empts one farm horse or mule from sale. A resolution appointing a committee to cx- I amine a manual for ordinaries&e., prepared by W. M. Reese of Wilkes county. R’ the com mittee approve the Kxcntivc is authorized to purchase 500 copies. IN SENATE. A bill was introduced by Mr. Jossey to crant certain privileges to the Griffin Light Guards iin the City of Griffin; and one was passed to incorporate a Rank in the City of Atlanta to be called the "City Bank of Atlanta.” nii us PASSED. To incorporate the “Macon Insurance and Trust Company.” IN HOI’SE. Mii.i.eimievii.i.e, Dec. Stli 1857, 1111.1. S PASSED. To lay out and organize a new county from 1 tlie conntiesof Laurens, Washington and Eman uel. To lay out and organize a new county from the counties of Floyd and Polk. To incorporate a Bank in the citv of Mari , etta. A message was received from tlie Governor, in response to n call in relation to the claims of ! citizens of this State in their own right, and for services rendered by their fathers during the Revolution, as well as for services in tlie late war witli Great Britain, and in other va rious Indian Wars. In which it is shown that Georgia Ims claims upon tlie U. S. for monies ; advanced, daring those wars as well as for property destroyed. The pay rolls and other files show the following facts : From I7UO to 1800 these rolls show payments, amounting to $31,000 00 I From 1800 to 1814 1,201 oo " 1814 " 1817 about 12.1(00 00 The last claim is due to Lieut. Col. Adam's command, who served in the expedition against the “Oakfnskee Indians, ami tlie soldiers serv ing in that expedition will be entitled to Boun ty laimls, so soon as the I’nited States reim burses the State of Georgia. From 1827 to IS4O. payments were made by Georgia amounting to $33,000. in addition, it is alledged that the command of Maj. Gen'l John Clark, ordered to Savan nah in 1815. as well as many private citizens, ' arc entitled to receive from theU. S. Land War j rants on account. ( of Military service. The attention ot the Legislature is directed to the I fact, that Georgia lias long since parted w itli evidence of payment made by her, and of the service of part of her citizens, and urges the importance of a remedy to obviate a difficulty which Ims always presented itsef in tlie prose cution of these claims against the I’nited States, both for tlie benefit of the State, and individuals* The message at large is a buM m»- like doi uineiit. and worthy of its author. STATE AID. It was my desire in this communication to review the able report of the committee on Internal fmprovementss, on the subject of State : aid to Rail Roads. But the Bill, and with it. the future prospects of Georgia for the next two years, has been consigned to the narrow cell of oblivion, while "monopoly” with all its tyranny and oppression reigns triumphant over the State and people. The powers ofthe Central and Georgia Rail Roads have seized ' upon tlie Legislature, and tlieif influence is felt . in the distant nooks and corners of the State. The storm of oppression has gatlieTcd. Tlie ! wild winds are lowering, and in a few short years this mighty Juggernaut of Monopoly, will oversweep its bounds and gush in wild ami distractive torrents over the land. TEMPLE. FROM THE CAPITAL. Milledgeville, Dec. 8 1857. Messes. Editoks:—Your readers are doubt less aware that one of the most important measures brought before either branch of tlie Legislature this Session, was defeated in tlie House last Saturday. I allude to the Bill granting the aid of the State to certain railroads. It was ably advocated by Messrs. Lew is of Hancock, Hardenien and Underwood. Tlie op position was niainiy from tlie line of the Cen tral and Georgia Railroads, and sections under i the influence and control of Savannali and Au- I gusta. In fact, Mr. Gordon agreed that it was un ■ just for the State to aid any project, which was destined to compete witli the above roads, and that Macon was fostcre-d and fed by Sa { vannnli! He neglected to give the bill of fare, which • Mr. Hardeman gave for hini-nnjch to the edifi cation and amusement of the House. I’liu ; wonder is, that the good people of your tow n have not starved on such feeding long ago. The latter gentleman proved that the Savan nah Road was a monopoly, which charged op pressive rates of freight, eke., and that the peo ple, in the end. had to pay for it. He wished tlie State to lend its aid, in order that they might lie relieved of tliis oppression. Gov. Brown lias created a little sensation among some of tlie members, by returning to the House, and refusing to sanction, joint reso lutions requesting him to pardon two women, now in the penitentiary, convicted of man slaughter and riot. He politely tells them that they would be as well employed in tlie consid eration of such matters as tlie Constitution lias confided to them, ami gently hints that if they i will attend to their business, lie will try to at tend to his. It must be tliis thrust that cuts, for up to tliis time, the action ofthe Legisla ture has been of a decidedly negative charac ter. They have done that which they ought not to have done, and have left undone tlmt which they ought to have done. They have defeated a measure that would have been of immense benefit to tlie people of the State, and have kept them in suspense as to what protection they were to have in future from the swindling banks. It is doubtful whether tliis suspense will be relieved during the Ses sion. But I have strayed too far from the Governor’s Alcssgge. After readin* it carefully, it is my opinion that tlie view it takes of tlie pardoning power i is correct. It argues that it would be best, in most ca ses, to let these convictions remain where tlie courts and juries left them. "Let it be re membered (says tlie Governor) Unit tlie mercy to the criminal which turns loose every outlaw 1 who applies, is not tlmt mercy to tlie commu nity which protects its interest, prevents the commission of crime, and preserves our land ; from the stain of innocent blood.” He thinks ; it would be very expensive for the Legislature to take tbe time and trouble necessary to as certain the evidence for them to determine | what criminals were deserving of mercy. 'I he ; Constitution litis assigned tlie duty of tliis in vestigation to him, and lie would respectfully ■ suggest tlmt each Department sliould be eon- . tent to confine itself within the sphere of ac-I I tion assigned it. Now, while we believe that woman is tlie I . greatest institution in tliis world, and tlmt a j majority of the angels in Heaven belong to the feminine gender—while we acknowledge that ; a lovely, beautiful, innocent female is tlie great- ; est of God's blessings to us poor mortals given, . still it is our opinion that when they are guilty ; of crime, punishment sliould be intiieted upon . them as severe as that which the rougher por- ! tion of humanity have to suffer, lor it is more ! reprehensible in them. It is not expected of ’ us to be as innocent ns lambs, and gentle as i doves. It is expected of them to soften our I nature, ami not lie carving us up, and burning . our houses. Mr. Smith, of Towns, Chairman of the joint ’ Committee on the Penitentiary, Ims dr: wn up a long and interesting report, reeonitm tiding the removal of that institution to Stone Moun tain. In the language of the report, it is proposed to make the convicts “carve out their own dark and gloomy cells.” It shows that most of the material used in the Penitentiary can be bought for about half the price which is paid for it here —that pro- , visions are a great deal cheaper—so that we may reasonably expect it to be a source of rev enue, instead of an average expense to the State of SII,OOO annually. It has been located here for forty*one years, ' ami now the walls begin to crumble, and it be comes necessary to rebuild it somewhere. The Senate refused tliis morning to pass the bill providing for its removal, by a vote of 46 to 54. It is to be hoped that they will reconsider the subject. The Senate having parsed a resolution to ad journ on the22d, it was taken up in the House, when Mr. Underwood moved that the Legisla ture should take a recess from that day until the first Wednesday in next November, as a substitute. As some persons seem to think that this , body has no right to convene again without an election, it was thought that some precaution | was needed, to keep the outu from coming in, | and the from going out. The substitute was adopted. 1 must now come to a close, for ••tempu' fugit.” MAC. Milledgeville, Dec sth, 1857. For the last three days, the House have been ( engaged in the discussion of the Report and i Bill made and recommended by the Internal I Improvement Committee, granting State aid to the Macon Ar Brunswick Road, Georgia A: Air Line Road, and Elijay Roa I. The question has brought out some of the bc't speaking talent of this branch. Hon. .foiiN \\. 11. I NDEiiWuoD, the Speaker . of the House, opened the discu.s>’u»n in a sjM-vch of great power and thorough research, in favor I of the measure. He appears to be about forty-two } cars of ! age, tine commanding person, dark blue eyes, dark hair, and a fare indicative of intelligence ; and good humor. He is the leading man in the i House from the Northern S Action of the State, and having, without any legislative experience, been promoted to the Speakership, has proven, i to the admiration of his friends, a prompt and ian able presiding officer. As a lawyer, at the I bar, 1 learn he ranks high, and his ability as such, with his great quickness of mind, has enabled him rapidly to master the parliament ary law. and keep in proper order the body over which he presides. I prophesy for him, in the future history of Georgia, a prominent place among her states- < men. Mr. Lewis, of Hancm k, was the next friend who advocated, in an elaborate speech, the pas sage of the Bill. The legislative career of this gentleman has made him well known to the people of the ; State. | Representing a constituency noted for their intelligence and refinement, I cannot wonder that his whole legislative career exhibits a jus- ' tice and enlightened liberality toward every every section that commands the co idenee of friends and the respect of political oppo ents. Educated at our State University, from there he was called into political station as one of the Secretaries of Governor Gilmer; thence ! on the hustings as a candidate for Congress against the renoifnc/l Iteprwiitfif ire of the Hth\ 1 thence as a member of the House, for a scries of years, from Hancock county, lie lias exhib ' ited a bearing and patriotism worthy of the people who elect him. lie is about forty years of age, dark hair, grey eyes, of moderate height. I , his whole physique representing him to be what he is—a gentleman in every sense. II is style of oratory is peculiar—discursive, 1 and, at times, vagrant—yet, at other, close, logical, impassioned—he speaks in short sen tences. forcing home his conclusions will, i sledge-hammer blows, riveting conviction upon the mind—sometimes erratic in his views, but always guided by a sincere desire, 1 have no ; doubt, to crown the State with ble.'-ings, and 1 advaneejier interest, moral, politeal and men tal. The producing class—the cause of popu- I lar as well as University education, have ever found in him an enlightened and faitldid advo- 1 i cate. A. IL Kenan, of Baldwin, next followed, as I one who opposed the passage of the Bill. His person is so well known, it were useless ito describe it. His, I regard, as one of the i ablest minds in tlie House. His style of speaking is bold, commanding ‘ and controlling in its influence. No member wields more influence upon the floor. His i speech and opposition contributed greatly to ; the defeat of the measure. Geo. A. Gordon, Esq., of Chatham, made the concluding speech,with Mr. Milledge,to the Bill, and is, I presume, one of the youngest members in the House. Gordon came to the House with an enviable reputation. lam gra tified to know that he has not only sustained, . but increased it. A slender person, dark skin, raven hair, with a glowing black eye, distinguish his person. His voice is his greatest draw back, lack- ’ ing, as it does, volume and strength. As Chairman of the Committee on Banks,he has held and filled an important space in the public eye, during the Session. His style of oratory is lucid and argumentative, rarely at tempting an appeal to the passions, or to deck his subject with the gaudy trappings of the I imagination. He speaks with a sincere desire ! to convince, and, as is evident in every line and movement, with a conx-ientious conviction of the truth and justice of his cause. Hailing from a commercial city, his course on the Bank question was anticipated, and yet none do him the injustice to believe lie is wilfully in error. His maimers are eminently engaging, and no members are more popular or respected on the floor, than those who represent Chatham. RALEIGH. From the Savannah Republican. SYNOPSIS OF THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE- Washington, Dec. B.—The Message of the President of the United States was read in both brain lies of Congress to-day. The President states that the financial histv- I ry of this country for the last forty years, con sists of extravagant expansions in business, fol lowed by ruinous contractions. He has deter mined that while no useful government works, already in progress, shall be suspended, new works* not already commenced, will bo post ' polled, if it can be done without injury to the country. Those works necessary for defence, '•hall proceed as though there had been no fi nancial crisis. lie recommens the passage of a uniform bankrupt law. applicable to all bank institu tions throughout the United States. Our relations with foreign governments are, upon the whole, in a satisfactory condition, but it h:i< been our mi>fortune almost always to have some irritating if not dangerous outstand ing question with (ireat Britain. The President discusses the Central Ameri can question, and objects to the interpretation given by England to the Clayton Bulwvr Trea ty. Bethinks, as this Treaty is understood in diflerent senses by the Governments of the con tracting parties, that the wisest course would be to annul it by mutual consent, and com mence anew. Overtures f(»r adjustment have recently been I made by the British Government, in a friendly spirit, which the President cordially recipro cates. Unit the renewed ciforts will result in a successful adjustment ofthe differences, the President is not prepared to express an opinion. With all governments, with the exception of Spain, our relations are peaceful. < hitrages on our flag remain unacknowledged and mire dressed ; and the President s purpose is to send out a new Minister with special instructions to treat on all (|Ucstions now pending l>etw<.«ii the two governments, and with the determination to have them speedily and amicably adjusted. In relation to China, he says, while our min ister Iras been instructed to occupy a neutral ]x>sition at Canton, he w ill cordially co-operate with the British and French ministers in ail peaceful measures to secure by treaty stipula tions all just concessions to commerce, and w hich China cannot be permitted to w ithhold. Our diflicnlties w ith New Granada are l»e --lieved to be in a lair train of settlement, and in • a mannerjiist and honorable to both parties. The Isthmus of Central America, including that of Panaimu is the great highway between the Atlantic and Pacific, over which a largo portion ofthe conimcr c ot the I’nited States is destined to pass. The United States are more deeply interested than any other nation, in preserving the freedom and security of all coiiimuni’ics across this 1-thmus. The I’resi de nt, therefore, recommends the pftssagu of an act authorizing him in case of necessity to em ploy the land and naval tones of the country to cany into effect t hi-guarantee of neutrality. 11 also recommends similar legislation for the st ciirit v of any other route across the Isthmus in which we may acquire an interest by treaty. The President condemns all lawless expedi tions i. i <1 . Gt a.riii -i the independent Repub lic on thi> Continent, and says there is nothing !•( U’T cah ilal l J lo rd our steady progress or i iipai;* oar ( hara< ter as a nation, than the toil ; ion of such enterprises in violation of ihvla\. lie con u nds the w hole subject to the serie; " attention of Congress, and rcccoin mends the adoption (»i’si:ch measures as will be elf Hi.d ia rest rain in _ oir citizens from coiiimi:- ting such outrNg-.s, ThKaiis.o t on.*!’;!utional Convention were not bound, by any terms in the Kaiisas-N(- braska act. to submit any other portion of thu ( oa>tilutiou to an election, except that w hich relates to the donicsti( institution of Slavery. The election will he held under legitimate au thority, and if any portion ot the inhahitairt s refuse to vote, a lair opportunity to do so hat ing been presented, this w ill be their own vol untary act, and they alone will be responsible for the consequences. As to I tali, the President says this is the first rebellion which has existed in uur Territo ri<and humanity itself requires that it should be put down in such a manner that it shall l»e the last. In order to do this, it is necessary to rai-'C four additional regiments. The President recommends the establish ment of a Territorial Government fur Arazona —commends to the favorable consideration of Coiigrc". the subject of a Pacific Railroad— calls special attention to the recommendation of the Secretary ofthe Navy, tor the construe i tion of ten small steamers. The above are tlie leading points of the Mes sage. In conclusion, he says he has deliberate ly determined to approve no bill which he has I not examined, and therefore recommends to ■ both Houses to allow him sufficient time pre ‘ vious to their adjournment. THE MAIN TRUNK. We publish this morning, says the Savannah News, the hill recently passed by the Legisla ture. by which the subscription of $1,000,009 by the State to this important work is secured. Noticing the arrangement between the Atlan tic and Gulf, and Brunswick and Florida Com* panics, the Brunswick Herald of the 2d says: The majority of our readers will Is? gratified to learn that the Main Trunk and Brimswiek and Florida R. R. Companies have al last tome to an agreement"by' which the latter releasess«n ; much of its exclusive privileges as w ill enable the former to go into operation. The terms made are equitable, and we doubt not will be generally satisfactory. We have reason to lieve that Mr. Wheeler has all the time been willing to make the release when it (u>uld be ne as it now is, with safety to the charter of tliis Road. The amount received from the Main Trunk Company paid the debt due Dr, Collins and thus puts the B. & F. R. R. Co, in a condition to proceed with its great work nn embarrass'd by debt, having 32 miles already ironed, and thirty miles now graded and the cro>s-tics got out. Mr. Wheeler has aocom plished so much in the short time he has been President, that we have no doubt he will be able to rapidly push the Road on to completion. THE NEW**CONGRESS It WSAS AM) THE ADMINISTRATION. The correspondent of the Baltimore Sun | says, in a recent letter : “When the question shall arise, however, which may involve the Walker Administration policy —supposing the Administration policy to ( be then w ell defined, and to be identical in re gard to any vital point w ith the acts of Gover nor Walker- such a number ofSouthern Dem ocratic members may secede, as to throw the Administration into a minority, or entirely do "troy the harmony of the Democratic majority. The Northern Democrats, fifty-three in num ber, w ill find great relief from an unknown fu ture by following the lead of the Administra tion, and at the >ame time conforming with the view suf their constituents. But if the tone of a portion <»f the Southern press rightly re lict th ■ -vniiment of a considerable part of the South, a number of the Southern Democrat ic members will take a decided stand against a course of federal action which has tended, as they think, to make Kansas a Free State. No . thing is more probable than the appearance in ’ Con_rress of a Southern organization against t the Administration.” i
